The Week of December 21, 2015

The Wisconsin Legislature's 2015-2016 legislative session began on January 5, 2015. The schedule of floorperiods is established by Senate Joint Resolution 1. The most recent regular floorperiod ended on Thursday, November 5, and the Senate and Assembly called themselves into extraordinary session to finish their fall agenda. The next general floorperiod is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, January 12.

For daily updates on Wisconsin politics in the news, please see our Capitol Headlines page.

Signed into Law

Campaign Finance

On December 16, the governor signed 2015 Assembly Bill 387 into law as 2015 Wisconsin Act 117, which rewrites the current laws on campaign finance. The law changes who must register with the new ethics and elections commissions and the monetary thresholds for reporting contributions, clarifies definitions in the law such as "coordination," and specifies criminal and civil penalties.

GAB Reorganization

On December 16, the governor signed 2015 Assembly Bill 388 into law as 2015 Wisconsin Act 118, which replaces the Government Accountability Board (GAB) with an ethics commission and an elections commission. Each commission will be composed of at least six members, four of whom are appointed by legislative leadership and two nominated by the governor.

Sexual Assault Statute of Limitations

On December 16, the governor signed 2015 Senate Bill 170 into law as 2015 Wisconsin Act 121, which changes the statute of limitations for second- and third-degree sexual assault from six years to 10 years from the commission of the violation.

Lead Inspections

On December 16, the governor signed 2015 Senate Bill 178 into law as 2015 Wisconsin Act 122, which changes the law related to lead inspection requirements and how much lead testing is required in certain homes.

Exemptions for Building Materials

On December 16, the governor signed 2015 Senate Bill 227 into law as 2015 Wisconsin Act 126, which provides a sales and use tax exemption for building materials that become part of a facility owned by a local government or a nonprofit organization. The bill will take effect on January 1.

Ratification of Medical Licensure Compact

On December 14, the governor signed 2015 Assembly Bill 253 into law as 2015 Wisconsin Act 116, which ratifies the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact. It creates a compact commission made up of members of the medical examining board who are appointed by the chair of that board and confirmed by the Senate. Members of the compact will develop a streamlined process to allow physicians to be licensed in multiple states.

As of Thursday, December 17, the governor has signed 126 bills into law from the current session.

A list of enrolled bills that are ready to be sent to the governor is updated regularly.

Recently Introduced Proposals

2015 Assembly Bill 603, introduced on December 16, relates to changes to and codification of the Department of Natural Resources shoreland zoning standards.

2015 Assembly Bill 602, introduced on December 14, adds Christian Schools International to the list of accrediting agencies for the Milwaukee, Racine, and statewide parental choice programs.

2015 Senate Bill 455, introduced on December 14, increases the penalties for a fourth or subsequent OWI offense.

Committee Activity

There are no scheduled hearings for this week.

Judiciary and Public Safety

The Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety met on December 16 in executive session, followed by a public hearing, to consider several bills, including 2015 Senate Bill 303 and 2015 Senate Bill 322. SB-303 creates an enhanced penalty for crimes that are found to be gang-related. The bill was recommended for passage by a vote of 3-1 in executive session. The committee held a public hearing on SB-322, which would change the way that Wisconsin compensates those who are wrongfully imprisoned. SB-322's companion bill, Assembly Bill 460, also received a public hearing the same day in the Assembly Committee on State Affairs and Government Operations.

Tax Deductions For Legislators

On December 15, the Senate Committee on Revenue, Financial Institutions, and Rural Issues considered 2015 Senate Bill 255 in executive session. SB-255 would discontinue the individual income tax deductions for expenses on food and lodging for legislators that reside within 50 miles of the State Capitol. The bill was recommended for passage by a vote of 3-2.

The 2015-2016 legislative session began when the new legislature was sworn in on January 5, 2015. The schedule of floorperiods for the new session was established by Senate Joint Resolution 1.

Notification service. The legislature's Wisconsin Legislative Notification Service makes following the legislative process easier for interested citizens. Registered users can receive daily or weekly emails when specified legislative activity occurs. For example, users may choose to be notified about every action affecting a specific proposal, bills introduced by a particular legislator, activities of a specific committee, or introductions relating to a particular topic.

Internet Broadcast of Floor Debate. Citizens can watch and listen to live floor debate in both houses using the Legislature's InSession service: Senate and Assembly. Broadcasts are live only. The InSession pages also provide the day's calendar with links from the calendar to bills before the house and to roll call votes as they occur.

Legislative Documents. Search legislative documents from the current and past sessions, including introduced proposals, statutes, administrative code, clearinghouse rules, committee hearing records and more. For help navigating the site, go to the Legislative Reference Bureau's Research Services page.

2013-2014 Wisconsin Blue Book

The 2013-2014 Blue Book, the manual of state government and statistical information about Wisconsin, is available online and is available for purchase from the Department of Administration, Document Sales Unit (search Document Sales Catalog for "Wisconsin Blue Book"), (608) 266-3358. The price is $10.15 with shipping and $7.25 without.

LRB Publications

Throughout the session, the LRB issues publications related to current proposals and other recent issues of interest.

WisconsinEYE, a private, not-for-profit statewide public affairs network provides video coverage of Assembly and Senate floor sessions as well as select committee hearings. The proceedings they record are archived on their Web site.